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Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji
Goa is planning to make HIV test compulsory before marriage registration.
Health Minister Dr Suresh Amonkar said this during a debate in the assembly on the rise in AIDS cases in the state, after Speaker Pratapsing Rane had made the suggestion earlier during the debate.
The compulsory HIV test could be implemented quite effectively in Goa, as most people register their marriage due to the common civil code, which provides for equal property rights for all the family members, including women.
Dr Wilfred de Souza, former chief minister, also pointed out during the debate that several countries in the world have made such a test mandatory before marriage registration.
The spread of AIDS is becoming a matter of concern in the state as the official figures indicate rise in HIV cases in towns where there is a continuous inflow of tourists.
Against a total figure of 522 HIV positive cases in 1988, it zoomed up to 801 last year, showing significant rise in the port town of Vasco and in talukas of Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete, all popular tourist spots.
Even the number of AIDS cases has increased from 15 in 1988 to 48 in 2001.
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